Classifier for solid material.



R. E. TROTTIER. CLASSIFIER FOR SOLID MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE29.1911.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

RENE EMILE TBOTTItER, OF PUTEAUX, FRANCE.

CLASSIFIER FOR SOLID MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 30, 1913.

Application filed June 29, 1911. Serial No. 636,038.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Rania: EMILE Tuo'r- 'rien, citizen of the Republic of France, and resident of 84 Rue de la Republique, Puteaux, Seine, in the said Republic, engineer, have invented a new and useful Classitier for Solid Material, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a classifying apparatus designed for the mechanical separation of solid bodies, particularly ores, according to their specific gravity while classifying them by volume in each order of their specific gravity, the apparatis being also constructed to classify by subsidence the fine particles which have escaped classification by specific gravity.

The apparatus is based essentially upon the combined'use of three simultaneous ac tions on the materials to be classified, that is to say the resistance of the medium, the difference in the action of momentum and the resistances due to inertia and friction. The resistance of the'medium, in this case the liquid in which the classification is effected, allows when the materials are free in the .iedium a. classification of them in the vertical direction according to the order of their specific .gravities, the heaviest be ing collected at the lowest part. The difference in the action of momentum on the materials during their movement in the classifying medium produces a classification also according to the specific'gravity but in the horizontal direction. .The effect of these two actions is further increased by the resistances due to theinertia of the materials and to their friction on the parts which carry them (liquid medium and me chanical devices), in such a manner that the resultant of this triple action gives rise to a lateral travel in opposite directions of two materials of different specific gravitics. that is to say if the classification is etlccted on a table of suitable inclination, the particles of the heavier material may be caused to advance and those of the lighter material to recede.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying draw ings, in which,

Figure 1 represents diagrammatically the principle of the invention; Fig. 2 represents a longitudinal vertical section through the apparatus, and Fig. 3 represents a top plan view thereof.

The apparatus consistsessentially of a sieve 1 which is extended by a table 2 and together with this table is iixcd to a frame 3, suspended by two connecting rods 4 and 5 within a vat 6 contannng water. The

sieve 1 and the table 2 form with the horizontal, angles suitable to the nature of the particles under treatment. By means of the connecting rod 7 an obliquely acting force is applied so to give to the system 1, 2, 3 a suitable oscillating movement.

The connecting rod 7 forms an angle a with the horizontal, generally different from 90, and the connecting rods 4 and 5 form the angles {5 and 7 respectively with the horizontal. If by means of the connecting rod 7, the sieve. be oscillated, the l'naterials charged on to the latter for the purpose of classification will travel on the sieve more or less rapidly and in, the desired direction under the eflect of the combined triple ac; tion defined above, which action may be accelerated or retarded according to the re spective values of angles a, {3 and If one considers a particle 8 carried by the sieve,

this particle will be raised slowly by the sieve during its upward movement until the particle has the'position 9; at this point it is left. because the sieve descends suddenly from beneath it, so that it falls back on to the sieve between the points 8 and 10 when the sieve has arrived at its original position. the distance of this point from the original point 8 being a. function of the specific gray ily of the particle. Assuming that there are two particles of diifercnt specific grznities and that the angles a, {5 and 7 have a suitable value and that the moven'ient has a certain amplitude, the two particles, instead of advancing sin]ultancously, fall on thssieve at different points. the lighter being below the point 8 and the heavier above this point. It follows that the lighter particles rccede while the heavier particles advance on the sieve. This displacement of the particles, owing to the movement of the sieve, is also favored by the current developed in the liquid by this movement, which current acting with a suitable force and in appropriate directions accentuates the s paration of the particles by circulating across them when they are already moreor less lifted according to the order of classification.

The ore to be classified being composed. for example, of three minerals l1, l2, and 13, of difierent specific gravitiesthese min,-

crals will be separated on the sieve l in three superposed layers following each other, as is indicated in Fig. 1, since, as has been explained, the heavy particles of the layer on the sieve advance and. the light particles recede. It follows that by limiting the interi'uediate Myers in this layer 1.2-, by a transverse discharge there will be obtained on the surface of the sieve a clean separation of the zones of the diiierenc layers. suitably adjusting this discharge the several layers will have :1 sufficient thickness to insure that each layer of a given specific g'avity acting like an imperfect. liquid, will form a bed practically impenetrable lo particles of lower specific gravity, in such e manner that eacn section, of the sieve will only allow to pass materials strictly of the some specific gm vity which can therefore be collected sep urutciy. Moreover, in each layer of the same specific gravity of the bed the materials will be olassilied successively according to their volume by spreading themselves out on the sifting surfs, .3, the volume diminishing from the front in the rear in such a manner that by suitably selecting the mesh of the sieve and the trz-insvcrse discharge for each of the zones it is possible to collect separately materials of the some specific gravity but of (bilcreut volume, Finally, the fine matcriuls which, in consequence of their fineness end of flu; necessary movement of the classifying llltlllllln have been able to escape the (.lnsufication by specific gravity and by voluni-e, Inn by a suitable modification of the characteristics of the current be classified ljiy subsidence in the same medium by introin ling after the sie e boxes in which the line materials are successively deposited.

In the arrangement shown thc \ut 6 is of rectangular form and has at its l wer part a number of cminiartmcnts shaped like hoppers, in his case seven compartments 1x1, 15, 71,6, l7, 18. If! and 20. Above the compartzizu nts 17, 153 und 1?) is sus mnled the frame -3 }'Ji0Vl h: l with the oscillating sifting sur face. This surface is composed of :1 number of like parts ml to the number oi materials to be separated and each consisting of n sieve l inclinc'l from the front end to the rear end and 2: table ii Being an cxbt-nsion of the sieve and inclined in the opposite direction, These sicv 5 and ilii-ir tables are euch monlzil to :1 degree related inclined to ihe. is: the nature of the nniteriui under trituient; this sngle of lll='llll2ill(iii may be in consequence rlillerent from one sifting 'iucr to unolhcr as shown for instance in Fig i r fl' lligw fl b llliu l'l ll." nub m pairs of iii-sh il rr-ur pair 4. o the will mt ui'c Emil 'l lon r spluso (nut lneii cwixstwz I? 'ounw'l'wl u i in upper an 1495 :m. of ad ust inclination may be varied. For this purpose the connecting rods terminate at their upper parts in racks :22 engaged by pinions 23 carried by the upper spindle 24. The lower spindle 25 against which the connecting rods 5 are applied by hoohs curries pinions 26 in gear with rocks 27 fixed on the upper edges of the sides of the frame 3. it will be understood that the a 7 which the connecting rods 5 make with the horizontal can be varied by turning pinione 253 and 26, and by fixing or not the spindles of these pinions. This mode of adjusting and pivoting the connecting rods 5 thus insures always the desired compensation according to the amplitude of the oscillation and the value of the angleaof the connecting rod 7 which transmits the motion. This latter rod, which is made in two parts connected by a nut 28 so as to be adjustable in length, is pivoted at 29 to a. lever 30 itself pi voted to the vat; the pivot 29 may be shifted on the lever so as to vary the angle a. The adjustment of the length of the connecting rod 7 by operation of the nut 28 serves to vary the angle 3 of the connecting rods 4. Thus means are provided for varying suitably the three angles in question so as to adjust Lhe apparatus for (he conditions of lassification.

()1; the driving; shaft 31 which is driven through a pulley 32 is keyed a cam 3 luv liflingr the lever 30. The descending: move ment of this lever stopped by a cross bar ill whi h may he. pieced at. any desired point on the upper edges of the at so as to ullmv the desired umplitude of the movement agreeable in the DUSltlUn given t the pivot 29 of the c nnect ng rod 7 n the lever 30. This r rrsr emcnt produc s a slow rising movement of Hie slew and a rapid d scent thrnof. The sudden arrest of the descending movement by the bar Irl' also has the ad antage of in: wring automatically the clearu-ie of the ,i ve. \Vbon the apparatus is in operation, the vs! being suitably filled with water, lhe movi-nn nt of the sieve and of the water which traverses it produces several beds which overlap each other on the sieve in the manner indiceted above with reference to Fig. 1. The rising tables 2 of each sifting surface (except the first}, constitute stops which limit the end of thclayers of thebed While permittingeasy advance of the dense particles rejected by the lower bed; they thus insure that the layers will have sufficient thickness to make them impenetrable to particles of lower g'iecific gravity. But. as at the base of the beds there will tend to form an accumulation of particles of maximum dimensions which will be unfavorable to the impenefmbility of the bed, there arranged herween the adjacent ends of the surfaces a transverse opening beneath which runs a gutter or other receiving device, such as 35, which discharges laterally into the hopper 18 the material which it receives, so as to leave the bed on the sieve quite homogeneous. At the rear end of the sieve is arranged an adjustable ledge 37 sliding in a groove and provided at its lower part with a flexible metallic cloth, this ledge being for thepurpose of adjusting the height of the lower bed of the lightest materials (13 in the example shown in Fig. 1).

In each layer of the bed, the particles classify -themselves along the sieve according to the respective volumes and for this purpose the mesh of the sifting surface may have appropriate dimensions, so that when it is desired to classify by volume it sufiices to collect, apart beneath the sieve the different orders of volume totbe separated. In this case the lower part of the apparatus is partitioned into a suitable number of boxes.

The apparatus is fed as regularly as possible above the sieve at 36 (Fig. 1) toward the upper point of which the lightest materials to be classified (thegangue in the I case of minerals) advances.

The movement of the frame gives rise to a continuous circulation of water around the sieve in the direction'of the arrows 38, Movable baiiles 39 situated along the lines of separation of the hoppers serve, as may be desired, to direct the current of water against the lower face of the sieve, so as to lift the material above this latter, while entraining the fine material remaining in suspension after having passed through the sieve. The several tables 2 of the sifting surface serve moreover to maintain and to direct the current of water, thus increasing its action on the materials which descend the slopeof the sieve. There may also be added at other points of the frame beneath the sifting surface, tables such as 40, if it be desired for example to prevent a material from re-mounting the slope. my

The fineniaterial traversing the sifting surface and too light to descend dir ctly into the hoppers l8 and 19 is entrain by the current of water and carried to the might hand end of the apparatus aboverthehoppers 14, 15, 16 and 17 where it deposit-. ed. There is thus a successive classification of the light materials by subsidence in the hoppers. To aid this classification, water may be fed to the vat through vertical ipes 41, extending nearly to the bottom 0 the hoppers in which these materials are classified; the arrangement being similar to that of the well known apparatus called Spitzkasten. There is obtained in this manner a complete apparatus which classifies by sub sidence materials which have escaped the main classification. by specific gravity. Above the last hopper 14 there may be arranged a deflecting plated-2 for aiding the reversal of the current of water so as .to

cause it to flow back above the sifting surface. An overflow 43 carries off the excess of water.

The removal of the materials collected in the several hoppers may be eifected the base of each and controlled either by hand or automatically. It is advantageous to use for this purpose an automatic discharging apparatus of the kind shown at the base of the extreme left hand hopper 20. This device consists of a receiver, 45

connected with the outlet of the hnper by a flexible connection 46, the lower end of a {through cocks or valves 44 arranged at weight destroys the equilibrium and it as sumes a lower position overcoming the force of the spring 50. In consequence of the in" movement ofthe connecting rod 49 and of the lever 48 around their pivots, the valve 47 is opened and the material is suddenly ejected from the receiver; the receiver being thus unloaded is raised under action of 5 ring 50 and the valve 47 closes so that t e filling of the receiver begins again, thus the discharge is automatic and intermittent apd a minimum quantity of water is lost.

Having thus described my said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim An apparatus for classifying solid matcrials by specific gravity and in each order of speci c gravity by volume, comprising a frame, a series of inclined sifting surfaces carried by the said frame, tables extending the,said surfaces and inclined int-he opposite direction thereto, transverse discharge gutters, separating the sifting surfaces, a

vat sub-divided at its lower part into com-.

partments corresponding with the several sifting surfaces, water filling the said vat and means for imparting to the sifting surfaces an oscillating movement and means for communicating to-the water a movement around the said surfaces.

2. An apparatus for classifying solid materials "by specific gravity and in each order or specific gravity by volume, comprising a 'frame, inclined sifting surfaces carried by the said frame, tables of inclination oppoadjustable inclination arranged at the lines .i 5,4, of separation of the said compartments and means for communicating to the said frame an oscillating movement and means for imparting to the Water a movement around the said surfaces.

3. An apparatus for classifying solid materials by specific gravity and in each order of specific gravity by volume, comprising a frame having an oscillating movement, inclinedsifting surfaces carried by the said frame, a vat filled with water in which the said frame is immersed, compartments "formed at the lower part of the vat beneath the sitting surfaces, other compartments formed in front of the said surfaces, pipes adapted to admit water and opening at the bottom of the lastmamed compartments, inclined walls fixed sifting surfaces, inclined movable baffles located at the points of separation of the compartments formed under the sifting surfaces, and means for imparting to the Water a movement around said surfaces.

to the frame, beneath the 4. An apparatus for classifying solid ma-- terials b specific gravity and in each order of speci c gravity by volume, comprising a frame, inclined sifting surfaces carried by the said frame, tables of inclination opposite to that of the sifting surfaces separating these surfaces, inclined Wails fixed to the frame beneath the said surfaces, a vat filled with Water in Which the fw'ne is immersed, compartments formed at ver a lower part of the said vat and corresponding with the several sifting surfaces, means for communicating. to the said frame an oscillating movement, and means for imparting to the Water a movement around the said surfaces.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my invention, i have signed my name in presence of two Witnesses, this 19th day of June 1911.

RENE EMILE TROTTIER. lVitn esses H, (I. Coxn, ALcinE Face. 

